So, yeah, about a year ago, I injured myself at work. There were bills incurred. My employer paid as expected for them, but as soon as I was clear, I quit, no notice for another job. Yes, hootus move on my part. They made many more and worse hootus moves. By-gone Days.
Now, a year later, I am getting bills from the radiology folks. Again, I waited until I was released from medical care, a month after my scans were done, then quit. These former bosses are not now, nor have I ever known them to be on the up-and-up. Blah, blah, corporate embezzlement, prison, Ponzi schemes, etc.
My question: am I responsible for this medical bill? I expect they failed to pay, and now the radiology folks are trying to get any red cent they can. I pay my bills, and hate to be in arrears, but don't really think I am responsible for this bill.
What say the hive?
That should've billed to your employer's workers comp insurance. And not to your employer--to the insurance policy they are required to carry. If your employer paid those bills directly, that makes me go hmmm like they didn't have the required insurance. They would probably do a lot to avoid being exposed and on the hook for the penalties they would owe for not carrying it... like pay your additional bills.
And if the last bills WERE paid by your employer's workers comp, the radiology folks should bill against the same policy info.
Margie
Well, it can depend on many things. Like the laws in your state, the insurers that your previous employer had (and their contract), etc.
I would call the radiologists and verify a few things:
1. Is the statement real? Sometimes health care organizations sell their uncollected accounts to other collectors, and then get paid on the original and patients can get a false bill in between based on bad timing.
2. Did they bill the workers comp coverage? If not, they need to start there and leave you alone until that part is finalized.
3. If the workers comp coverage paid something, ask for proof from the insurance company that you are supposed to be liable for the rest (sometimes called an eob or explanation of benefits).
4. If somehow everything is real and the WC coverage somehow has you owing something, ask what financial assistance they may be able to provide.
Minor hiccup: Former employer is an insurance underwriter. Rumor has it the man at the top was caught "writing " policies himself, and was caught when he finally got one so big he couldn't pay it off with all the "policy-holder's" money.
I said they were hootaes, right?
Also, thanks. I'll be looking ay any and all recommendations.
In reply to wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L) :
Who was handling your claim? It likely either would have been the insurer, their TPA, or lastly someone inside of your company.
How big of a company did you work for? Unless they have at least hundreds of employees, they probably have someone else handle the claims for them. So if you were dealing directly with someone in your HR department for the whole process, then it's possible they were trying to keep it under wraps.
FYI every state has reporting requirements for injuries on the job, and while it varies from state to state, they all want to know if you were off work due to injury, and most states want to know if medical treatment was required, even if you didn't miss work. Your employer can incur some hefty fines if they failed to report your injury.
Also, it may be possible that your employer is 100% self-insured. But that still needs to be documented with the state board of insurance, and also requires them to set aside significant $$$ to cover any losses - often $1M or greater, even for small companies.
In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
Big. Hunderds and hundreds. Likely self insured. I dealt with an employee in HR.
I missed no work, but they failed to honor my "light duty" status.
I'm not looking for a fight, just don't want to pay money I don't owe.
In reply to wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L) :
Does your former employer operate in more than one state, or just the one you worked in? It's starting to sound to me like boss may have an "in" with the state insurance board if they've been getting away with shenanigans like this for very long.
Multiple states. TN, GA, and I believe FL that I know of.
They are certainly well known big fish in this particular small pond.
In reply to wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L) :
I think talking to your provider(s) and finding out exactly what's happening is a hood first step. Maybe it's just a coding error, or maybe your previous employer is just refusing to pay, but if you can figure out the truth that'll give you more options.
If it turns out they just flat out refused to pay, then I think you might want to report it to the state insurance board. They generally get pretty upset when employers fail to cover their injured employee's bills. With your employer also being an underwriter, that gives the state a pretty large ax they can hold over your ex-employer's head, should they choose to do so.
